NSW · Bega Valley Council
Merimbula, NSW, 2548
Desirability index
89.3/100
How this score is calculated#46 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Merimbula is a smaller suburban community in the Bega Valley area, home to around 3,821 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 328 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with falling year-on-year trends (-18%), roughly 85.8 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $555 (flats $495, houses $710), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 2 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 3,821
- Median age
- 54
- Median household income / week
- $1,146
- Dwelling vacancy
- 26.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 613 of 2,335
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,517
- Employment rate
- 49.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 118 / 289 / 384
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $495
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $710
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $555
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 70
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 328
- Against the person
- 80
- Against property
- 145
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 85.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 48 residents
- State safety percentile
- 7.8th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -18%
Most common offence types
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment27
- Malicious Damage To Property41
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault23
- Other Offences31
- Steal From Retail Store31
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,001
- Merimbula Public SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
100 public transport stops in this suburb
- Merimbula Coach Stop
- Merimbula Tennis Courts, Kalinda St
- Park St At Wonga St
- Park St At Wonga St
- Spencer Park, Main St
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
2 active roadworks / incidents
- Allow extra travel time. Check signage. Expect delays. Contractors and Council crews will carry out road strengthening and resurfacing works at several locations across Merimbula.Changed traffic conditions will be in place for the duration of the works, including a reduced speed limit. Traffic control will also be on-site to assist road users.There will be no on-street parking during working hours.Monaro Street, Market Street01 Jun 2026 – 13 Jul 2026
- Allow extra travel time. Check signage. Expect delays. Contractors and Council crews will carry out road strengthening and resurfacing works at several locations across Merimbula.Changed traffic conditions will be in place for the duration of the works, including a reduced speed limit. Traffic control will also be on-site to assist road users.There will be no on-street parking during working hours.Short St, Market Street01 Jun 2026 – 14 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
195 planning-related records
2026· 13 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport42 CLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise115-127 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 KOWARA CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation110 LAKEWOOD DRIVE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development23 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation27 MONARO STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 KOWARA CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation38 CLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; KioskCLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation; Supporting DevelopmentWHARF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 LAKEVIEW AVENUE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)22 MARINE PARADE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Subdivision371 ARTHUR KAINE DRIVE MERIMBULA 2548Under Assessment
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 SAPPHIRE CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 MULLOWAY CIRCUIT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure63 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
November 2025
- Residential flat building; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation2 FISHPEN ROAD MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)46-52 MARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport9 KOWARA CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Withdrawn
October 2025
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure95 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
September 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Multi-dwelling housing (terraces); Residential Accommodation63 OCEAN DRIVE MERIMBULA 2548Additional Information Requested
- Temporary building, structure or use; Market95/97 & 119 Mains st Merimbula 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 MULLOWAY CIRCUIT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Small bar; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Footpaths - outdoor dining; Outdoor dining - general; Food and drink premise; Shop22 MARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 HENWOOD STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation35 BEVERLEY STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home2 TASMAN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 DOYLE PLACE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 HENWOOD STREET MERIMBULA 2548Rejected
- Restaurant or cafe; Small bar; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Footpaths - outdoor dining; Outdoor dining - general; Food and drink premise; Shop22 MARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12A CLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 ROBIN CLOSE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 TANTAWANGALO STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 SALMON COURT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 SHORT STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Hours of operation and trading4/6 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula, NSW 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 ILLUKA STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facilityMARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation27 MONARO STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
2024· 35 proposals
35 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 31 proposals
31 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 57 proposals
57 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 32 proposals
32 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026; 2021; 2022… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
202 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- BWSAlcohol
- Top FunAmusement Arcade
- Back Street BakehouseBakery
- In The MixBakery
- Commonwealth BankBank
51 Market Street
- Horizon Credit UnionBank
- IMBBank
- NABBank
1 Merimbula Drive
- WestpacBank
43 Market Street
- Lake View Bar & GrillBar
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Boller ParkPark
- Ford ParkPark
- Magi ParkPark
- Rotary ParkPark
- Spencer ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 11
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Amcalpharmacy
- Discount Chemistpharmacy
- EyeQoptometrist
- Jason Harley optometristoptometrist
- Main Street Medical Centredoctor
- Merimbula Denture Clinic & Laboratorydentist
- Merimbula Massage & Sports Therapy Centreoccupational_therapist
- Optometristoptometrist
- Orthodontistdentist
- Sapphire Coast PhysiotherapySapphire Coast Drivephysiotherapist
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- CourungaMonaro Street, MerimbulaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 23
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 89.3/100
- Cohort rank
- #46 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Merimbula Coach Stoptransport
- Merimbula Tennis Courts, Kalinda Sttransport
- Park St At Wonga Sttransport
- Park St At Wonga Sttransport
- Spencer Park, Main Sttransport
- CourungaheritageMonaro Street, MerimbulaSHR
- Amcalhealthpharmacy
- Discount Chemisthealthpharmacy
- EyeQhealthoptometrist
- Jason Harley optometristhealthoptometrist
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Updated on site
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.